Activision’s Call of Duty series and EA’s Battlefield series, developed by DICE, have long been rivals in the FPS genre, vying for the attention of war-gaming enthusiasts. Call of Duty (COD) is often recognized for its action-oriented gameplay and refined weapon mechanics, while Battlefield is typically praised for its vehicle integration and robust online multiplayer experiences. The latter point is certainly debatable, considering the immense popularity of the free-to-play title, Call of Duty: Warzone, which continues to achieve record-breaking player engagement.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 initially launched in 2009 for previous-generation consoles and PC, earning widespread acclaim for its compelling campaign mode. The narrative transported players to diverse global locations and presented a politically charged storyline featuring a range of antagonists. This remaster, released in 2020 for current-generation platforms (initially PS4, followed by Xbox One and PC), is exclusively available as a digital download via PSN, Xbox Live, and Steam.
The initial impression is immediately positive: COD: Modern Warfare 2 benefits from a significant graphical overhaul. Expect enhanced textures, improved particle effects, increased environmental detail, and, crucially, higher resolution output, up to 4K on PS4 Pro. Coupled with a targeted 60 frames-per-second and HDR support, which dramatically improves lighting and contrast, the visual presentation is substantially improved, giving the impression of a thoroughly modernized game. The audio has also received attention, with a polished and vibrant mix that accurately positions environmental sounds and dialogue within a surround sound system.
However, the core gameplay, level design, and certain technical aspects reveal Modern Warfare 2‘s age. Addressing the controversial elements, such as the “No Russian” mission – where players can participate in a mass shooting at a Russian airport as an undercover operative (importantly, players are not obligated to target civilians) – this content can be optionally disabled at the start of the game without impacting progression or achievement acquisition. A more significant issue is the game’s inconsistent pacing and reliance on pre-scripted sequences and level layouts, which at times can create a linear, almost on-rails experience.
For the most part, the core gameplay loop is effective, and the mission variety is appreciable. While the realities of war are undeniably grim, the digital representation can be engaging. Successfully engaging and eliminating a helicopter with an RPG, or deploying drone strikes on enemy positions, offers a certain thrill, appealing to a sense of primal satisfaction. However, Modern Warfare 2 fluctuates between exceptionally well-designed encounters (the snowmobile chase and Burger Town mission are notable examples) and constricted, poorly designed levels (the favela level suffers from claustrophobic environments and excessive enemy density). Furthermore, the heavily scripted nature of the game means that persistent players can often exploit predictable enemy patterns, diminishing the sense of realism.
From a technical standpoint, the game generally performs adequately, with reliable autosaving and reasonably sized levels. However, the checkpoint system occasionally places players directly into active firefights. This can lead to frustrating scenarios where immediate death necessitates repeated attempts simply to survive the initial moments. This design choice is less than ideal.
It’s important to note that this release does not include the multiplayer component. For access to those features, players should consider the remaster of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, as MW2 maps are expected to be integrated there. This release focuses solely on the single-player campaign, reflected in its reduced price.
In conclusion, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 remains an engaging FPS experience, marked by both memorable highlights and occasional shortcomings. The graphical enhancements make it a worthwhile playthrough, particularly at its price point. However, dedicated fans of the original may find that more recent entries in the war-themed FPS genre offer a more contemporary experience than this remaster provides.
